What is the best textbook for learning C++?

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The discussion centers around experiences with learning C++ using Bjarne Stroustrup's "Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++." While the book covers extensive material, some users find it challenging due to the introduction of functions without prior explanation, complicating the learning process for beginners. Recommendations for supplementary resources include learning C first to build a solid foundation before tackling C++, with suggestions for textbooks such as Deitel's series, Schaum's Outlines, and Gaddis's books. Participants also mention the effectiveness of "Problem Solving with C++" by Walter Savitch and express varying opinions on the number of code examples in Prata's books. Overall, the consensus emphasizes the importance of a strong grasp of C fundamentals and the value of choosing the right textbooks for a smoother learning experience in C++.
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I've taken a class in C++ and we used Bjarne Stroustrup's Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++. We only got to the point to where we were just starting to learn about pointers, so I still consider myself a beginner. C++ is my first programming language.

I really like how Bjarne covers a lot of stuff in this book, I just hate how he'll randomly throw functions in that I don't know of without explaining them. It makes it hard to follow along.

Does anyone have any recommendations?
 
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Although it is not really required to learn C first and then C++, I agree with phinds. As a beginner, learn first a good deal of C (pointers, advanced data structures and dynamic memory allocation included) and then in learning C++, you'll look at it in a more experienced way and see really where its great power lies.

As for textbooks, I recommend Deitel's books. The reason is that I studied myself C, C++, Java and Internet and The WWW How to Program, although we had different textbooks for the courses back then and I found them of great help. These books are even more improved in their present editions. They are big, so you need to be patient and serious in reading them, but in my opinion it pays well back. Also for simple to intermediate exercises as a beginner, I used Schaum's Outlines Series Programming with C and Programming with C++. Of course, there are lots of other good textbooks you can find.
 
Dr Transport said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0134400240/?tag=pfamazon01-20

I like gaddis, used the 6th ed a few yers ago...
I was a reviewer for Tony Gaddis's first edition. My name is still listed amongst all those who reviewed previous editions.

I'll be teaching a first course in C++ at a local CC next quarter (spring), and the textbook to be used is "Problem Solving with C++," by Walter Savitch. One of the advantages is that it's relatively inexpensive (as these books go). Stephen Prata also has a couple of books, "C Primer Plus" and "C++ Primer Plus." These are inexpensive, but they have too many code examples, IMO. I know that students like and appreciate code examples, but if one example is only slightly different from another, one of them could probably be removed, I think.
 
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Mark44 said:
I was a reviewer for Tony Gaddis's first edition. My name is still listed amongst all those who reviewed previous editions.

I'll be teaching a first course in C++ at a local CC next quarter (spring), and the textbook to be used is "Problem Solving with C++," by Walter Savitch. One of the advantages is that it's relatively inexpensive (as these books go). Stephen Prata also has a couple of books, "C Primer Plus" and "C++ Primer Plus." These are inexpensive, but they have too many code examples, IMO. I know that students like and appreciate code examples, but if one example is only slightly different from another, one of them could probably be removed, I think.

I also have Savitch's book, good, but I like Gaddis's better. Since I used Gaddis in a course I was taking, I know where to find the info I need faster than Savitch. Either is a good text to learn from.
 

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